Pitt could breathe new life into Batman

Brad Pitt is the latest name mooted to take over the role of caped crusader Bruce Wayne when the Batman franchise is renewed later this year.

Since Tim Burton's original feature-length Batman in 1989, the role has taken on an iconic James Bond quality, with various big-name actors stepping in to play the part. If negotiations are successful, Pitt would be the fourth movie Batman in 11 years, following in the footsteps of Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros are currently hard at work assembling the team for the next Gotham City instalment. The current front-runner to direct is indie film-maker Darren Aronofsky, best known for the black-and-white stylistics of Pi and the censor-baiting antics of his upcoming Requiem For a Dream. "I want to bring an independent guerilla flavour to Batman," promises Aronofsky. The director met with Pitt this week to discuss the possibility of his taking the starring role.

Until recently, there had been some doubt whether Warners was prepared to stump up the cash for another Batman movie, following the savage reviews and desultory box-office that greeted 1997's Batman and Robin, directed by Joel Schumacher and starring George Clooney.

Today even those involved don't seem to have much good to say about Batman and Robin. Clooney this week admitted to reporters that "there was no script and I wasn't very good in it," before looking on the bright side. "The films I've done haven't been very successful, so I haven't been pigeonholed in one genre: men in rubber-suits or something. In fact I think I buried that genre."

But perhaps Clooney has spoken too soon. With Pitt and Aronofsky circling the project,. Batman looks set to make an abrupt return from the grave.